AFMA 2010 Award Categories
Simon Johnson Award
Best Food-related Book
This award recognises excellence in a non-fiction, food-related book. The book may be about food or food and wine, or cuisine, culture or memoir, or food and history. It may be with or without visuals. Recipes and supporting visuals, if part of the book, should serve to clarify the text, not lead it.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this book.
What the judges will look for:
- Excellence of writing
- Quality of information
- Distinctiveness
Best Recipe Book over $40
Open to any food book that is primarily recipe-based and aimed at the popular market (rrp over $A40). It may be a multi-subject recipe book, a specific ingredient or all-purpose cookbook, or a personal recipe collection. Recipes must comprise at least 80% of the text and the remainder must be appropriate supporting text, such as essential information on ingredients and/or instruction in special techniques.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this book.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing and of recipes
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Appeal
- Credibility
- Authenticity
Cheesematters.com.au Award
Best Recipe Book under $40
Open to any food book that is primarily recipe-based and aimed at the popular market (rrp under $A40). It may be a multi-subject recipe book, a specific ingredient or all-purpose cookbook, or a personal recipe collection. Recipes must comprise at least 80% of the text and the remainder must be appropriate supporting text, such as essential information on ingredients and/or instruction in special techniques.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this book.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing and of recipes
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Appeal
- Credibility
- Authenticity
PorkStar Award
Best Cookery Book by a Chef or Restaurant
This award recognises excellence in a cookery book by a chef or a book representing the cuisine or particular style of a specific restaurant. Recipes must comprise at least 80% of the text and the remainder must be appropriate supporting text, such as essential information on ingredients and/or instruction in special techniques.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this book.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing and of recipes
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Appeal
- Credibility
- Authenticity
Sydney Markets Award
Best Health, Nutrition or Specific Diet Book
Open to any book that advances the public's awareness of the direct link between good nutrition and good health. The book may focus on healthy eating or special diets. It may be written by an individual author or authors.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this book.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Capacity of the author/s to capture and hold the reader's attention
Good Food & Wine Show Award
Best Food and Wine Writing
Open to a published article in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter or book, or Australian website or blog, written by one or more authors, which explores the inter-relationship of food and wine.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s.
What the judges will look for:
- Food and wine pairing
- Clarity of writing
- Distinctiveness
- Innovation
- Flair
Best Food Article
Open to a published article or feature in a magazine, newspaper or newsletter, or Australian website or blog, written by one or more authors, on the subject of food in the majority of its composition. The article may be with or without recipes.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing and of recipes, if included
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Capacity of the author/s to capture and hold the reader's attention
Best Food Section within a Newspaper
This award is offered in two parts to extend recognition to smaller regional publications.
8a. Best Food Section in a Metropolitan Newspaper (includes dailies and Sunday newspapers)
Open to a distinct section with more than two articles and with one or more contributors covering the topic of food or food and wine, written for regular inclusion in a metropolitan newspaper or newspaper magazine. Three different issues of the food section, published in the period of eligibility, must be submitted for judging.
8b. Best Food Section in a Regional Newspaper
Open to a distinct section with more than one article and with one or more contributors covering the topic of food or food and wine, written for regular inclusion in a regional newspaper or newspaper magazine. The article/s must be generated specifically for the nominated regional title. Three different issues of the food section, published in the period of eligibility, must be submitted for judging.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1000 will be awarded to each winning newspaper in this category.
What the judges will look for:
- Vitality
- Originality
- Clarity of writing
- Quality of information
- Capacity of the section to capture and hold the reader's attention
Lion Nathan Award
Best Recipe Feature in a Newspaper or Newspaper Magazine
Open to a published recipe feature in a newspaper or newspaper magazine, written by an individual author or food editorial team, that discerningly reaches its primary market. A recipe feature is defined as a work of more than two recipes with appropriate supporting text and visuals. Entrants must supply a brief description (of no more than 100 words) of the newspaper's target market and readership demographics with their entries.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author or nominated food editor of this recipe feature.
What the judges will look for:
- Suitability of the recipes for their stated target market
- Clarity of work and of recipes
- Quality of information
- Appeal
- Credibility
- Authenticity
The Judy Hirst Memorial Award
Best New Writer - Supported by Meat & Livestock Australia
Judy Hirst was a mentor to many newcomers to the food and wine industry. This award which commemorates her is an encouragement award for a writer of less than five years' experience in food or food and wine writing. Entrants must submit three food-related articles, published in the period of eligibility. The writer may be either a novice or a veteran writer new to food or food and wine writing.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Capacity of the author to capture and hold the reader's attention
Best Food-based Website
Open to an Australian website that is publicly accessible on the “world wide web" (www) and which primarily informs on the subject(s) of food or food and beverages.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated website editor.
What the judges will consider:
- Content (the information provided on the site, not simply the text)
- Functionality
- Visual design
- Interactivity
Australian Pork Award
Best Food Blog
Open to an Australian website log (blog) that is publicly accessible on the “world wide web" (www) and which primarily informs on the subject(s) of food or food and beverages, including - but not restricted to - dissemination of recipes, cooking tips and/or instruction, personal experiences and restaurant reviews. The information in the blog should be interesting, accurate and fair. Entrants must submit print copies of three articles and their links, uploaded within the period of eligibility, for judging.
What the judges will look for:
- Originality of content
- Engagement with the community (comments, Twitter)
- Quality of writing and photography
- Website design and its useability (content is easily searchable)
Ocean Spray Award
Best Nutrition Writing
Open to a published article in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter or Australian website or blog written by an individual author or authors, that advances public awareness of the direct link between good nutrition and good health. Entrants must supply a brief description (of no more than 100 words) of the publication's target market with their entries.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Capacity of the author to capture and hold the reader's attention
Dairy Australia Award
Best Food Article on an Australian Product or Australian Culinary Tourism
Open to a published article or feature in a magazine, newspaper or newsletter, or Australian website or blog, written by one or more authors, that highlights the quality of an Australian-grown food or food product in the majority of its composition, or an article highlighting the inter-relationship between Australian food, travel, people and regional cuisine. The article may be with or without recipes.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing
- Quality of information
- Originality of approach
- Capacity of the author/s to create awareness of an Australian-grown food product or create awareness of culinary tourism in Australia
Best Magazine Recipe Features
This award is offered in four parts to identify excellence in the varying styles of magazine publishing.
A recipe feature is defined as a work of more than two recipes with appropriate supporting text and visuals. It may be written by an individual author or food editorial team. Entrants must supply a brief description (of no more than 100 words) of the magazine's target market and supply its readership demographics with their entries.
- Entrants may submit one entry only in the appropriate division.
- Three different recipe features, published in the period of eligibility, must be presented as the one entry for judging.
- There will be a winner only in each division.
- A winner's trophy and total prize money of $500 will be awarded to the winning magazine of each division.
15a. Best Mass Market Weekly Magazine Recipe Features
A Mass Market Weekly Magazine is defined as a weekly magazine aimed at the popular market. It must contain a regular recipe section.
15b. Best Home and Lifestyle or General Interest Magazine Recipe Features
A Home and Lifestyle or General Interest Magazine is defined as one that covers home, food, gardening and lifestyle; it may also cover news and general interest. It must contain a regular recipe section.
15c. Best Food, Food & Wine or Travel Magazine Recipe Features
A Food, Food & Wine or Travel Magazine is defined as one that specifically covers food, food and wine, or food and travel.
15d. Best Mass Market Food Magazine Recipe Features
A Mass Market Food Magazine is defined as a food magazine that is primarily recipe-based and aimed at the popular market.
What the judges will look for:
- Suitability of the recipes for their stated target market
- Clarity of work and of recipes
- Quality of information
- Attractiveness
- Credibility
- Authenticity
Best Recipe Writing in Advertising
This is defined as a published recipe, written by an individual author or food team, that skilfully reaches its target market. Eligible formats include leaflets, books, booklets, advertorials, brochures, newsletters, recipe cards or packaging. Entrants must supply a brief description (of no more than 100 words) of their target market with their entry.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s or nominated food editor.
What the judges will look for:
- Quality and clarity of the recipe writing is paramount
- Suitability of the recipe/s for the stated target market
- Appeal
- Credibility
- Authenticity
Best Print Food Advertisement
This must be a specific food or food and wine advertisement that captures the imagination - memorable, thought-provoking and encouraging cooking. It need not be recipe-led. This may be any individual advertisement or advertorial published in a magazine or newspaper, or on a poster, bus side, billboard etc.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated creator/s.
What the judges will consider:
- Does it fulfil the core objectives of this type of creative?
- Does it ‘stand out from the crowd', not necessarily by being provocative but by expressing a simple idea in one powerful statement?
Kenwood Award
Best Food Stylist/Best Food Photographer
Entrants must submit three food-related images, published in the period of eligibility as editorial, advertorial or advertising material. These images could comprise an entire feature or they could be three unrelated photographs. The same food stylist/photographer team must have created each photograph. The photographs may be black and white or colour, using food or food and wine as the main theme of the compositions.
The successful food stylist and photographer will each receive a winner's trophy and prize money of $1000.
What the judges will look for:
- Originality
- Flair
- Capacity of the photographs to capture the imagination
- Proficiency of the photographer
- Proficiency of the food stylist
Sizzler Award
Best Television Food Segment — the Bernard King Award
Bernard King, bon vivant, TV identity, educator, mentor, foodie pioneer and past president of the Food Media Club Australia (now the Australian Association of Food Professionals), died in December 2002. King's Kitchen pioneered television food shows in Australia, and so this award is dedicated to his memory.
This award recognises outstanding communication, and is defined as an editorial or advertorial food or food and wine segment. It could be within a lifestyle television program or one dedicated to food and wine. This segment must have been produced and broadcast in Australia within the eligibility dates.
A winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated production team responsible for the segment. A winner's trophy will also be presented to the segment's television presenter.
What the judges will consider:
- Is this an outstanding communication?
- Is it a superior production?
- Is it compelling viewing?
- Criteria will include the presenter's skill, knowledge, ability and willingness to pass on his/her own food or food and wine knowledge
Best Investigative Food Journalism
Open to a published article in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter or book, or Australian website, written by an individual author or authors, or a broadcasted radio or television segment, that effectively informs/educates the public, or broadens the public's awareness. The piece must be an analytical work that probes the accuracy/truth or fact behind food issues: these issues may include food safety, food manufacturing, food policy, agricultural practice or other industry matters.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated author/s or presenter.
What the judges will consider:
- Is it credible?
- Is it a piece that delivers well-researched, well-documented analysis of the subject?
- Is the author/presenter responding to food issues with facts rather than hysteria?
Alfa One Rice Bran Oil Award
Best Radio Food Segment
This is defined as an editorial food or food and wine segment. The prize will be awarded to the presenter or presenting team for outstanding communication. The major criteria will be the presenter's skill, enthusiasm, and ability and willingness to impart his/her own food or food and wine knowledge. This segment must have been produced and broadcast in Australia within the eligibility dates.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $1500 will be awarded to the nominated presenter or presenting team.
What the judges will consider:
- Is this an outstanding communication?
- Does the segment capture the imagination?
- Does it make you want to eat and/or cook or go to a particular location?
- Does it provide sufficient information to generate action by the listener?
The Margaret Fulton Award - recognising the best recipe for a family meal from a member of the AAFP
Supported by the Australian Association of Food Professionals
Margaret Fulton is acknowledged as the recipe author who has taught more Australians to cook than any other Australian food writer, therefore imagination, balanced flavour and the practicalities of cooking are the criteria
for this award.
Entrants must be members of the Australian Association of Food Professionals and must submit a complete mid-week main course, using readily available ingredients, for a family of four. The recipe title should interest and inspire the reader, and preparation and cooking time must not exceed one hour.
Entrants must also submit an introduction of no more than 200 words describing the concept of the recipe and/or offering information about cooking techniques, presentation or the ingredients and/or their substitution.
Five finalists will be selected from the entries for a grand cook-off by a celebrity chef. The award will be presented to the author who delivers a result which matches the expectation created by the recipe.
The recipe must be the author's own work and may have been published or unpublished. We encourage all members to enter a recipe.
The winner will receive a trophy and total prize money of $1000.
What the judges will look for:
- Clarity of writing in the recipe
- Creativity and practicality of the recipe
- Availability of the ingredients
- Total preparation and cooking time
- Ability of the recipe to meet expectations
- Comments from the chef who cooks the five selected recipes
Australian Association of Food Professionals Award
Best Overall Contribution to the Communication of Food
This is a special award nominated by members of the Australian Association of Food Professionals for the best overall contribution by an individual to the communication of food during the period of eligibility. Any food or food and wine writer or presenter in print, TV, radio and/or Internet can win this award. Previous winners can be nominated.
The winner's trophy and total prize money of $2000 will be presented to the recipient of this prestigious award.
What the judges will consider:
- Has the nominee made a significant contribution to the excellence of food communication for a considerable time?
- Within the period of eligibility, has the nominee repeatedly contributed work which exhibits outstanding quality?
- Is the nominee a professional who communicates with integrity and unfaltering skill?
- Please note that nominations for this Award close on 22 August 2010, and that no entry fee is required.
The Saxa People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award was initiated in the 2008 Australian Food Media Awards. It canvassed the views of the public for who had contributed the most in their lives to the communication of food from a suggested list.
Maggie Beer was the inaugural winner.
The 2010 People’s Choice Award will ask the open question – with no prompting list. It will simply ask: who has influenced you the most about food and eating?
It could be a profiled individual, a restaurant, an historic chef, it could be your mother or father, a relative or friend or neighbour. People’s Choice provides a mirror on society. It will reflect by name or generically (mother, father etc) where the greatest food influences lie.
Voting can only be cast here via the AAFP website www.foodprofessionals.org.au and will require the inclusion of a short rationale for the nomination. Voting will close on 31 July 2010.
